An Alliance Of Love

6. First Meeting:- Part 2

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Ranveer’s POV

The air was filled with soft laughter and easy conversation as I approached, but I could feel a subtle shift as soon as I stepped in. My presence often had that effect—commanding attention without needing to demand it. I wasn’t one to linger on formalities or social pleasantries. There was no time for that in my world.

“Maa, you’re all here,” I said, my voice cutting through the noise with ease. “I was searching for you downstairs.”

Instantly, the conversations halted, and all eyes turned toward me. I noticed her before anyone else—Adira. The woman my family had chosen for me, the woman I was supposed to marry. She stood there, trying her best to blend in, but I saw the subtle signs of her discomfort. She seemed tense, her posture stiff as though she was carrying the weight of the entire situation on her shoulders.

“Meet Adira, You remember her?” my mother’s voice broke the moment, pulling my attention away from Adira for a brief second.

I saw her eyes flicker up to me, just for a moment, before she quickly looked away, avoiding my gaze. She was nervous, that much was clear. I could sense it from the way she tried to make herself smaller, less noticeable. Interesting. Most people didn’t react to me like this—not in a way that felt so... raw.

“Hmm… I see,” I said, keeping my tone neutral as I continued to observe her.

Before I could say more, Mridula’s voice chimed in with her usual excitement. “Bhai, I told you she’s pretty! Look at how beautiful she looks today.”

I resisted the urge to roll my eyes at my sister’s enthusiasm. Her heart was in the right place, but she was oblivious to the complexities of this situation. Beauty was irrelevant to me—there was far more at stake here than appearances.

As the rest of my family slowly began to leave, offering us privacy with their gentle hints, I watched Adira carefully. She still wouldn’t look at me. Instead, she moved towards the railing, her back now to me, clearly uncomfortable with the idea of being left alone. This wasn’t an easy situation for either of us, but it was inevitable.

“All the best, Bhai!” Vaibhav and Mridula teased on their way out, their laughter echoing down the hall as the door closed behind them. I shook my head slightly, sighing at their lightheartedness. If only this was as simple as they made it seem.

Now, it was just the two of us.

I could feel the tension rising between us, thick. She leaned against the railing, her back still facing me as if she were trying to draw comfort from the view outside. The palace grounds were stunning, of course, but I had a feeling her thoughts were far from the peaceful landscape before her.

I took a step closer, keeping my distance but making sure my presence was known. “So…” I began, my voice calm, measured. “You are Adira, the woman my family wants me to marry.”

She didn’t respond immediately, and I could see her grip tightening on the railing. She was clearly trying to steady herself, to gather her thoughts. I gave her the time she needed, waiting patiently.